There were minor delays because 64 metres of cable had been stolen, Metrorail spokesman Tony Games said in a statement.

Contingency plans were put in place to minimise any delays between Leralla and Kaalfontein.

Metrorail has arranged buses as an alternative for commuters and one line was open for trains to utilise, said Games.

"Metrorail sincerely apologises for the inconvenience caused and invites the community to report criminals stealing overhead cables to their nearest police stations."

The cable was stolen from the same area where Metrorail technicians had replaced 60 metres of stolen cable on Monday.

Metrorail security guards had apprehended seven people on Tuesday for the cable theft and handed them over to police.